Find the Right Free Zone for Your Business in Dubai & the UAE

Business setup costs in Dubai vary widely depending on your jurisdiction, business activity, workspace, and visa requirements. The most affordable option is a license-only free zone package starting from around AED 5,750 per year (SHAMS, Sharjah). A typical free zone setup with one visa runs AED 15,000–25,000 in Year 1. Mainland setups with an office start from approximately AED 25,000–40,000. For a personalized estimate, use the DubaiForm cost calculator — it factors in every fee across all 45 jurisdictions.

The most budget-friendly free zones in 2026 include SHAMS (Sharjah Media City) from AED 5,750, Ajman Free Zone from AED 7,500, UAQ Free Trade Zone from AED 8,000, RAKEZ (Ras Al Khaimah) from AED 7,500, and SPC (Sharjah Publishing City) from AED 6,500. These prices are for license-only packages without visas. Adding a single visa typically costs an additional AED 4,000–7,000 per person. See the full cheapest free zones ranking on DubaiForm.

Free zone companies get 100% foreign ownership, fast setup (often 1–3 days), and potential 0% corporate tax under the QFZP (Qualifying Free Zone Person) regime. However, they generally can't sell directly to UAE consumers or take government contracts. Mainland companies can trade freely throughout the UAE, work on government projects, and have no geographic restrictions — but setup takes longer (7–14 days) and costs more. Since 2020, mainland companies also allow 100% foreign ownership for most activities. Use our free zone vs mainland comparison guide for a detailed breakdown.

Free zone setup takes 1–7 working days depending on the jurisdiction. The fastest zones — SHAMS, IFZA, and Meydan — can issue licenses within 24–48 hours. Mainland setup through Dubai DET typically takes 7–14 working days due to additional approval steps. The most time-consuming part is usually bank account opening, which takes 2–6 weeks regardless of jurisdiction.

Yes. Many free zones now support fully remote incorporation. You can complete the entire process — from application to license issuance — online using UAE Pass or digital signatures, without physically being in the UAE. Zones like SHAMS, IFZA, DMCC, and RAKEZ all offer remote setup. You will need to visit the UAE to complete visa stamping and Emirates ID biometrics if you want a residency visa.

No. You can own a UAE company without a residency visa. Many entrepreneurs hold a license-only package and manage their business remotely. However, if you want to live in the UAE, open a local bank account more easily, or sponsor employees, you will need to apply for a residency visa through your company. A single investor visa typically costs AED 4,000–7,000 in processing fees.

With AED 10,000 or less, you can get a free zone license in jurisdictions like SHAMS, SPC, or Ajman Free Zone. This covers a professional or commercial license with 1–3 business activities. This budget works best for consulting, freelancing, digital services, content creation, and small-scale e-commerce. It won't include a visa — add another AED 4,000–7,000 per visa. Use our cost calculator for a precise breakdown.

DubaiForm is NOT a consultancy. We're an independent comparison platform — think of us as the "NerdWallet of UAE business setup." We compare pricing, features, and benefits across all 45 UAE jurisdictions using verified data. We don't form companies ourselves. When you're ready to take action, we can connect you with the free zone directly or with a vetted business setup consultant. Our revenue comes from referral partnerships, not from marking up your setup costs.